Valentine's Day Gift Ideas -- Share the Two New Blends from Caribou Coffee with the Coffee Lover in Your Life (Review)

"As fans everywhere welcome the new year, Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBOU) is excited to celebrate 2013 with the launch of two new whole bean coffees: Colombia Cosecha de Oro and Traveler’s Roast. These delicious new light and medium roasts, respectively, were designed to help fans enjoy more tastes from the large spectrum of flavors that they offer while delivering Caribou’s signature premium coffee experience.

The launch of these new coffees comes on the heels of an exciting 2012 for Caribou Coffee – a year that brought growth and the coffeehouse’s 20th anniversary celebration. Caribou’s new Colombia Cosecha de Oro and Traveler’s Roast coffees will join Caribou’s extensive coffee line-up – 20 choices – which offers a broad range of coffees – light, dark and medium roasts – to provide customers with a wide range of coffee experiences and tastes.

Colombia Cosecha de Oro: We listened to fan feedback on our Colombia coffee offering and are excited to introduce this refined option to satisfy guests looking for a lighter roast. Cosecha de Oro means “golden harvest” in Spanish, and this flavorful coffee also features caramel notes along with hints of subtle vanilla and sweet fruit flavors.

Traveler’s Roast: A medium-bodied blend, Traveler’s Roast is juicy and complex with a silky, smooth finish. Fans will love this choice for its dark chocolate qualities and “syrup-like” body.

Like all Caribou coffees and espresso, both coffees are Rainforest Alliance Certified™, a certification that ensures that farmers, as well as their families and greater communities, receive decent wages, access to education and medical care, and that beans are harvested responsibly to protect the environment. The Rainforest Alliance certification is one of the most comprehensive certifications of its kind, ensuring that coffee drinkers can “sip responsibly” with sustainable coffee that supports a more sustainable planet.

“Product innovation has been a priority for Caribou Coffee since day one, and continuing to surprise our fans with new coffees that offer a range of flavor profiles is something we pride ourselves on,” said Alfredo Martel, senior vice president of marketing and product management, “Our team travels around the world in search of the very best beans and exciting new tastes, so we’re thrilled to be bringing these latest options to the Caribou community, especially knowing that they are sourced in a way that provides support for farming communities, while also protecting the planet.”

The new Colombia Cosecha de Oro and Traveler’s Roast blend launched Monday, January 21, 2013, and are available for purchase in stores and online. They are permanent additions to the Caribou portfolio.

For more information about Caribou Coffee, please visit Caribou Coffee’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cariboucoffee or follow Caribou on Twitter at @Caribou_Coffee."

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My Thoughts:I was first introduced to Caribou Coffee about 6 years ago when I visited Atlanta, GA for the first time. My husband and I had taken the early morning flight into GA and needed our coffee fix for a quick pick me up, before we started exploring the area. Shortly after pulling out the airport we continued to see Caribou Coffee shops and decided to stop. We are so glad that we did, as their coffee was just what we needed and was really delicious. During the duration of our stay in GA, we made a point to stop every morning (and sometimes in the late afternoon) for a cup of coffee from the Caribou Coffee that was right down the street from the hotel we were staying at. And, before heading back to CT, we made a point to stock up on some of our favorite Caribou Coffee flavors, which include Mahogany and French Roast from their dark roast collection

Once we used up our bags of ground coffee from Caribou, I visited their website to learn where I could order more. I was excited to find that I could order bags online, as well as pick at my local Hannaford and Big Y markets. Even, though we can't travel down south as often as we would like, now that the girls are here, I can still get my fix of Caribou Coffee when I want. :-)

So, when I recently heard about the release of the two new flavors, Traveler's Roast and Colombia Cosechade Oro, I had to get my hands on a bag of each to try them out. At times like this, I wish I lived down south, so I could just walk into a local Caribou Coffee shop and pick up a hot cup of coffee. But, luckily, the kind folks at Caribou Coffee send me a whole bean 1 lb. bag of each of these new flavors to try and review. It was like Christmas when I received the samples, and even though it was 3 in the afternoon, I pulled out my coffee grinder, grinded enough coffee beans and made myself a hot cup of coffee. I will not lie -- I ended up setting up a little taste test center on my kitchen island, and ended up sampling the two new flavors. I knew I wouldn't be able to wait until the morning to grind and make the other way, so I did it all at once -- and, was glad that I did. :-) Not only was I more energized, but it was a great way to warm up on a snowy afternoon in CT.

Even though I prefer dark roast blends, I have to say I really enjoyed the new Traveler's Roast, which was a medium-bodied blend. As you know, I am a chocoholic, and could taste the dark chocolate qualities of this roast. It was rich in flavor and smooth to taste, which I loved. As for the Colombia Cosecha de Oro, this too offered greats flavor and body. With each sip you could taste the creamy caramel notes and sweet fruit blend. I couldn't taste the vanilla, as much as I could smell it. For a light roast, this was really flavorful and left you wanting another cup.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to try out these two new blends -- even if I had to make the cups of coffee myself. :-) If you love flavorful coffee as much as I do, then you will want to pick up these two new blends from Caribou Coffee to try for yourself. Or, better yet, ask your sweetie to get you some for Valentine's Day. You can remember your sweetie each morning when you are enjoying a hot cup of Caribou Coffee together or apart. Either way, these coffees make for a great start to your morning, and are a great gift idea for any occasion, or just because!

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You can pick up your favorite Caribou Coffee flavors, in addition to these two new flavors at your local Caribou Coffee shop, as well as online at -- www.CaribouCoffee.com.

About Caribou Coffee

Founded
in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company is one of the leading branded coffee
companies in the United States, with a compelling multi-channel approach
to their customers. Based on the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee
is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in
the United States. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had 610
coffeehouses, including 202 franchised locations, in 22 states, the
District of Columbia and ten international markets. The Company’s
coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by guests who are
provided an extraordinary experience that makes their day better.
Caribou Coffee provides the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods
and coffee lifestyle items with a unique blend of expertise, fun and
authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse
environment. In addition, Caribou Coffee’s unique coffees are available
within grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee
and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce
channels. Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance
Corporate Green Globe Award and is committed to operating practices
that promote sustainability and environmental protection.